Experienced Educator and Mom that Puts the Child First, Not the System
Education is the keythat unlocks the doors to opportunity and success. As the daughter of a blue collar New York City construction worker and a school bus driver that later became a licensed insurance broker, the importance of education was ingrained into our daily lives. As a little girl I watched my mother study for her insurance licensure exams in between her school bus runs. I sat gleefully behind her with my bag of books we often reloaded at the public library. As the students she picked up at their homes and schools joined us everyday, my mother would ask them what they had learned that day or wanted to learn more about. I was fascinated by the wide variety of opinions and the joy all the children had when they hopped on the bus, a vessel transporting all children to a world of learning and achievement.
After deciding to become a teacher, I earned both a Bachelor of Arts in History with certification in General Education, and my Master of Science Degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education. During my years of teaching, I witnessed firsthand what works and doesn’t work, from the classroom to central office, how both students and teachers get lost and/or forgotten in the system, how money and talent is wasted, how leaders aren’t nurtured, and the overall inefficiency that rules school divisions. I later pivoted those experiences and focused on helping improve the education system from the outside, as an advocate helping children who have disabilities.
I’m committed to applying everything I’ve learned to breaking the barriers of illiteracy and policies that have built a wall blocking academic excellence. As an experienced educator, mom, and advocate I am the only candidate ready to clear the obstacles that have blocked access to educational opportunities for far too long in Fairfax County. I’m committed to serving the children of our community in Fairfax County and to restore academic excellence and the joy of learning for the children of Fairfax County.
ENDORSEMENT
Proudly endorsed by FCPA !
"Many words can express my gratitude for Mrs. Tisler who has taken the time not only to provide me with educational resources yet DIRECT resources that are specific to my children’s needs. Which is allowing them to work towards their independent needs and interests. Therefore, placing them “in position to become independent." Mrs. Tisler's support thus allows myself to become more self sufficient with understanding how my kids, more specifically my youngest child learns. Mrs. Tisler “understands the assignment” when it comes to meeting the child where they’re at and builds from there. I’m forever grateful for meeting Mrs. Tisler as she stands for the child's academic needs and parental support."
Best,
Ms. Michelle Williams (parent)
"Debra Tisler for school board! She has a wealth of knowledge from her years working in FCPS as a teacher in general and special education. She knows how the system works and what's needed to make it work better for every child, from kindergarten to high school and general education to special education. She has a passion and track record for helping parents and children in education regardless of their politics, race, socioeconomic status and/or ethnicity and is generous with her expertise and time. She can see and articulate issues and solutions at the student level as well as the school level, and no problem is too large for her to tackle. She communicates well at every level - from parents to politicians - and collaborates with others to get the work done. Parents and other community members vote for Debra Tisler. We need her on the school board to ensure our kids get the education to which they are entitled."
Cathy C.
"She gives her time and energy to help parents through the very complicated special education IEP and 504 process and is the voice for parents to the school board and the leadership of FCPS when FCPS fails to meet their needs.
My two children were recently diagnosed with dyslexia. Without Debra, my children would still be struggling in school with no help for improvement and no answers to why they were struggling. We are just one of many, many families that she has helped. Debra needs to be on the FCPS school board to help fix this broken school system and be the parent advocate this school system desperately needs."
